Page 6

CHAPTER SIX

ELSIE

My body comes awake and my eyes flutter open as sunlight breaks through the gap in the curtains. Quickly lifting my head, I see that Solo isn’t in bed with me. His side is cold under my palm.

He didn’t come back to his room. He didn’t sleep here.

My stomach tightens as I wonder if he found one of the club girls after he left and spent the night with her. The idea of him touching someone else makes my skin crawl as nausea settles in my stomach.

Nigel’s words creep into my head, telling me I’m fat and ugly, that no other man will want someone like me, especially with two bratty kids.

Not only would Nigel hit me, but he beat me down mentally also. His words hurt just as much as his hits. His favourite thing to do was to see me crying on the floor. Then he would spill food and drink over me, and tell me that I’m rubbish and I should clean myself up. He made sure that I would never leave him. My friends stopped trying to help me, even most of my family left me to my own devices, except my sister, Jade. When I could get away, she would meet with me and was always happy to see the kids. She has two of her own, a girl and a boy.

Pushing from the bed, I step into the bathroom attached to Kane’s room and take a quick shower. I need to find my babies.

Once dressed in a simple pair of black leggings and an oversized sweatshirt Una and Adele acquired for me, I leave the room, tying my almost dry, dark hair up in a messy bun. With a pair of flip flops on my feet, I go in search of the kids.

Stepping into the large kitchen, I smile when I see them both eating beans on toast with some scrambled egg, and a mountain of cheese for Ricky.

“Morning, Mouse.” I kiss the top of his head, then move to Ruthie. “Morning, Flower.”

“Morning, Mummy.” They greet at the same time.

“Okay, that shit was creepy.” Kink shivers, making me giggle.

“They do that from time to time. It used to freak me out, but it doesn’t bother me now.” I make myself a cappuccino from the machine they have.

“Elsie, I hope it was okay to bring the kids down for breakfast?” Nadine asks me from her seat next to my daughter.

“It’s fine, thank you. I must have needed to sleep.”

“We are always here to help. Just say the word.”

I give her a grateful smile. “Thank you. I hope they didn’t give you too much trouble.”

“They are little angels.” She winks at me.

“Hiding their horns,” I reply, making everyone laugh.

It hasn’t gone unnoticed by me that Solo is missing from the group. Dutch has Una on his lap, and Kink is standing behind Adele, his arms around her waist as she leans against him.

If you remove the leather cuts, they look like a big, happy family. Looking at everyone enjoying their breakfast, I take in the banter and the connection between everyone. My chest tugs with longing. I want this.

It hits me that you don’t need to remove the leather cuts to see it. It’s the cuts that add to the family loyalty and respect.

When the club saved me months ago, I was still nervous and scared to be around them. It was only because of Adele, Kink and Solo that I allowed them to help me. I saw them over the months, even though I’m pretty sure Solo thinks I don’t know that he had people watching over me.

After the kind of life I have led, you learn to look over your shoulder, to be observant to what is happening around you.

“Solo informed us that he told you that you had to stay put for the time being.” Kink’s voice breaks through my thoughts.

I blink and look to him. He smirks when he sees the annoyance on my face.

“He did, and like I told him, I am over being told what to do by a man.” I grip the mug in my hands on the table.

“He’s only doing it to keep you safe, Elsie,” he replies, but I see understanding in his eyes.

He was there when I was beaten so badly, I wasn’t sure I would survive it. I hated that for my kids, but also for myself. I knew then that I had hit rock bottom and I needed to escape. That is where these people stepped in to help me.

“I get that, Kink, but there is such a thing as asking a person what they want. I know that might sound ungrateful, but it really doesn’t take much to ask someone what they want.”

“You don’t sound ungrateful, honey. You are right. Solo should have asked you what you wanted, or maybe found a different solution,” Nadine chimes in to help me, glaring at Kink.

He holds his hands up in a surrender motion, grinning. “You know what Solo is like.”

“Elsie, this shit is real,” Dutch speaks up, looking from the kids to me, making my heart shiver in my chest.

“I know that, Dutch.” I keep my voice even for the kids’ sake. “Their safety will always come first, but I have to think of their wellbeing also. Their short lives have been filled with fear and pain.” My chest hurts thinking about what they had to endure day in and day out all because I was too weak to leave. “I’m not saying that we won’t stay here, but being asked in the beginning is not a lot to ask for. As for Solo being Solo and all his beastly biker attitude, if he wants us to stick around, then he will have to think before he speaks and ask for something, not just demand and assume that I will do as he says. I have done that enough in my life.” My voice cracks by the time I’m finished.

The room is quiet, and my heart beats like crazy in my chest. My nose stings from tears building. I chance a look at Ruthie and Ricky. They are both looking at me with sad faces. They understood everything that was said.

Of course they did. They are not stupid kids.

Time ticks by and I start to feel more and more awkward and ungrateful for my outburst, but I stand strong and don’t apologise. I have to stand my ground on things, and being asked for something and not told is one of them.

“She got you there, babe,” Una says, tapping Dutch on the chest.

“She more than got you, brother. Fuck me, remind me to never piss you off, Els. You have a sharp tongue, lovely. Which my brother will love and hate.” Kink winks at me.

Kink’s comment breaks the tension in the room, making everyone laugh, including my kids. Though I have no doubt they do not fully understand his comment.

“I’m sorry, Els. I get where you’re coming from and I will have a talk with my brother. Try and make him see things from a different perspective,” Dutch says, and I smile at him.

“Thank you. I really do appreciate being here, and you all keeping us safe.”

“A friend of mine is a teacher and I am sure the kids in her class are around Ruthie and Ricky’s age. Maybe I can ask if they can go to her school temporarily, or maybe she can arrange some work to be sent home from their actual school. I’m not sure how it works,” Adele suggests.

“I will phone the school and explain and see what they offer. They break up for the summer holidays in three weeks, so they might say leave the work until next term, or email me some things they need to cover. I will also call work, and hopefully they keep my job for me.” She nods to me.

My gaze slides to Dutch, who is looking at Kink, then Pres. A silent conversation passes between the three men. It unsettles my tummy, but I leave it for now. I will speak to Kane later.

“Una, how are you feeling?” I ask, reaching for a muffin that sits in the basket at the centre of the table.

“I’m good.” Her face brightens. “Not much morning sickness, so that’s a plus. We have a doctor’s appointment to clear me so we can fly to Florida soon. I’m excited to visit America.”

“Oh, exciting. I’d love to take the kids to Disneyworld, in Orlando. They would love it.”

“You would, too, going by the look on your face,” Adele calls out.

“Oh, definitely,” I laugh. “Watching Disney films with the kids was always an escape. It gave me a weird sense of calmness when I watched one. Seeing these little cartoon characters overcome certain trouble and come out stronger... They gave me hope.” I can hear the tremor in my voice.

A rough hand settles over mine, and I look to the side to see Tag crouching down next to me, a smile on his older, handsome face.

“There is fuck all wrong with wanting hope and peace, Elsie, honey. Maybe one day, you will get both and be happy. I just hope, for my son’s sake, that you get it here.”

He pushes to his feet, whistling for the boys to follow him as he leaves, but not before stopping and kissing his woman thoroughly, making me blush. Damn, the older man has game. No wonder Kane, Dutch and Kink turned out the way they did.

Holy hotness.

Nadine winks at her man, then he leaves.

My heart fills with the hope we just talked about. Maybe I can have what they have one day. We will just take one day at a time.